Questions about ball python care

I vouch for the hand sanitizer thing mentioned above. I use it before I go into my first bps cage and reapply after handling and moving on to the next snake. I've never had a snake take a go at me doing this. I don't use it when I feed and they know it's feeding time :)

Also wanted to mention that I started out feeding in a separate tub because I was afraid I'd be associated with food. That caused so much stress to me and the snake. I was so nervous to go in there after it fed and pick him up to move him. I switched and started feeding in the enclosure and it's so much better! Way less stress and after swallowing, my guys just slither into their hides and curl up while they digest. I've never been bitten or even hissed at since switching :)

Such a cutie! Keep reading through the post here. They helped me so much and they still do. I started out moving my BP to another enclosure to feed but after I brought home another BP it got to be a pain. Let him stay in his enclosure he will love you for it. The husbandry threads should help you with figuring out a temp method that works for you there are quite a few. Good luck with him.

I, too, am a new owner as of Jan. 23. He was about 5 months when I got him and 108 grams. He's fed three times and I've not seen any poop yet. Although the last meal was more substantial than the previous two so I expect I should soon. I've not seen any pee spots either despite having observed him drinking water several times.

Personally, I've put him in a separate space to feed each time and he has taken his prey without issue. This gives me time to go in and review his whole area while he's eating. He's never given me an issue putting him back after and I haven't had any issues with his digestion. Once he's back he simply slithers into his warm hide and I don't see him for a few days.

I've limited my handling but plan to steadily increase it in the coming weeks to acclimate him to it.

I also plan on switching from aspen susbtrate with a moss layer for humidity holding to some forest floor cypress bedding at the end of this month when I do a full tank cleanout. Hoping it will assist in the humidity. I regret the aspen.

I'll likely spruce it up a bit too with some fake vines on the edges and maybe a skull to make him look badass:rolleyes:. That way I can stuff some damp moss in the skull, as has been suggested, to help with humidity also.

I use an UTH on one side and a red heating lamp over the middle/right third, with foil covering both sides. I've also put black paper on 3/4 of it.

I've not seen any signs of stress yet.